NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) rises into the blue sky from Pad 36A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff occurred at 8:56 EDT aboard an Atlas IIA/Centaur rocket. One of three satellites (labeled H, I and J) being built by the Hughes Space and Communications Company, the latest TDRS uses an innovative springback antenna design. A pair of 15-foot-diameter, flexible mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then spring back into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. The new satellites will augment the TDRS system's existing S- and Ku-band frequencies by adding Ka-band capability. TDRS will serve as the sole means of continuous, high-data-rate communication with the space shuttle, with the International Space Station upon its completion, and with dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low earth orbit.
Size: 1336px × 3743px
Photo credit: © CPC Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: built, communications, company, data, hughes, nasa, relay, satellite, space, tracking
